10:30 Newscast July 24, 2014

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week-old son to the hospital. Doctors discovered the infant was suffering from bleeding on the brain and tests showed various stages of healing in the child’s brain, which indicated repeated abuse. 29-year-old James Hall, a teacher at Carroll High School, and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall were booked into the Ouachita Correctional Facility each on $50,000 bond.

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg used her position to extort money claiming to be able to get their court cases dropped. Harrell says when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…

cut 11 (08) “federal level”

He says upon her release from St. Charles Parish, Bourg will be transported back to Terrebonne Parish to face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.

The New Orleans Saints report to training camp in Lewsburg, West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Michelle Southern has the story…

cut 1 (34) “reporting”

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer, or EAB, beetles. He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area through infested firewood. He says the EAB has a distinctive look…

cut 9 (12) “take a look”

He says the best way to prevent the pest is to not move firewood more than ten miles from where it was purchased. For more information about the beetle, go to the website www-dot-emeraldashborer-dot-info.

09:30 Newscast July 24th, 2014

A 29-year-old teacher at Carroll High School is arrested along with his wife after doctors told cops their 7-week-old baby had been repeatedly abused. Monroe Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says they got a call from a local hospital in reference to a baby who was bleeding on the brain and James Hall and his wife 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall had no explanation. He says the infant remains in the hospital in critical condition…:
CUT 15 (04) “in his condition”
The Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile and are in the Ouachita Correctional facility on $50,000 bond.

The man who is in jail accused in the New Orleans Bourbon Street shooting which claimed the life one and injured nine made a court appearance Wednesday. Twenty year-old Trung Le faces one count of first-degree murder, and 9 counts of attempted first-degree murder, but his attorney says there is video evidence he says will clear his client. The lawyer also says Le has an alibi. Meanwhile New Orleans police continue to search for a second shooter.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. The EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and is now present in 24 states. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area by infested firewood…:
CUT 8 (13) “unused firewood”
For more information on the EAB go to emeraldashborer.info.

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans. She says even though the Saints aren’t practicing in Metairie this year regulars are still coming in as they do every year looking for that one lucky shirt they will wear for the season…:
CUT 6 (10) “always lose”
The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later.

The big Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is happening this weekend and it’ll be the biggest weekend of the year for the town. The Rodeo began in 1928 and is billed as the oldest fishing tournament in the nation. It kicks off today and runs through Saturday.

08:30 Newscast July 24, 2014

A man who is reportedly a teacher at Carroll High School and his wife are under arrested for allegedly repeatedly abusing their 7 week old infant. Monroe Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says neither 29-year-old James Hall or his wife 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall could give an explanation as to why their baby was in the hospital with bleeding on the brain. He says doctors told cops the 7-week-old had been abused…:
CUT 14 (11) “in the brain”
The parents were booked on $50,000 bond.

The Baton Rouge vice-principal who is accused of exchanging explicit photos with an 8th grader over Facebook bonded out of jail Wednesday on a $20,000 bond. BRPD police say Edwin Chastang is charged with computer aided solicitation of a minor after he was caught sexting with the 15-year-old student over social media. The suspect is reportedly on paid suspension from Southeast Middle.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer beetles. Eric Gill has the story…:
CUT 2 (34) “reporting”

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) used her position to extort money from these individuals claiming to be able to get their cases dropped. when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…
CUT 11 (08) “federal level”
Harrell says Bourg will also face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.

Gas prices are continuing their rapid decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.38 — down a penny from last night and almost a nickle from this time last week.

0730 Newscast July 24 2014

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week old son to the hospital. The Monroe Police Department believe the infant suffered repeated abuse. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says officers responded to a call from a local hospital in reference to an injured child…:
CUT 13 (06) “on the brain”
The parents, 29-year-old James Hall and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall were booked into the Ouachita Correctional facility each on $50,000 bond. The News Star reports James is a teacher at Carroll High School.

The attorney for the man accused of being the first to open fire on Bourbon street in the shooting that killed a woman from Hammond and injured nine others, said Wednesday his client, Trung Le, is not the shooter and that he has an alibi. The lawyer said there is video evidence that proves his client is innocent.

Louisiana State Police announce the arrest of a Houma woman who allegedly scammed illegal immigrants out of money. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 3 (35) “reporting”

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans…:
CUT 4 (08) “what they’re coming in for”
The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later.

06:45 Sportscast July 24th 2014

In a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. The Lions won the Southland last season as they were a perfect 7-and-0 in the league. S-L-U Head Coach Ron Roberts is a strong believer that his team can re-peat as Southland champs…:
CUT 18 (19) “basis”
McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow) has been released from the hospital after being treated for a cut in his arm he got from punching in a window at the school’s weight room on Monday according to multiple sources. Officials say he will remain on the team.

Former St. Augustine star and LSU-bound running back Leonard Fournette has become the first person on the basis of his high school accomplishments, to receive the Corbett Award — designating him Louisiana’s outstanding male amateur athlete for the past year. Louisiana-Lafayette pitcher Chrsitina Hamilton is the female honoree.

At Conference USA Media Day, Louisiana Tech Head Skip Holtz told reporters the Bulldogs will be better season this year, after going four and eight last season. Tech’s offense struggled last year, averaging just 19 points a game. But Holtz says they have more speed at the wide receiver position with the addition of former West Monroe star Paul Turner…:
CUT 16 (18) “as well”

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans…:
CUT 4 (08) “what they’re coming in for”
LeBlanc says even though the Saints aren’t practicing in Metairie this year, it’s not stopping the merchandise from flying off the shelves.

06:30 Newscast, July 24, 2014

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) faces federal and state charges…:
CUT 10 (16) “of the system”
The total amount of money Bourg supposedly extorted is unknown.

The Office of Conservation has reported that another hold has been placed on the work needed for the sinkhole in Assumption Parish. This is the second time in less than a month that a hold has been placed. According to the police jury’s website, crews have been forced to stop working due to increased levels of seismic activity in the sinkhole in Bayou Corne.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. Strain says the EAB is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees…
CUT 7 (15) “Reserve Program”
For more information on the EAB you can visit the site emeraldashborer.info.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no big winners in the two major jackpots in the state last night. Louisiana Lotto now goes to an estimated $650,000 for Saturday. The recently hit Powerball prize will rise to an estimated $50 million dollars for its next drawing.

AM Newscall July 24, 2014

The New Orleans Saints report to training camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (34) “reporting”

______________________________________

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer beetles. Eric Gill has the story…

Cut 2 Audio (34) “reporting”
______________________________________

Louisiana State Police announce the arrest of a Houma woman who allegedly scammed illegal immigrants out of money. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 3 Audio   (35) “….reporting”
______________________________________

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans…:

Cut 4  (08)  “what they’re coming in for”

The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later. Many have said that this year’s team could be better than the Black and Gold Superbowl team on paper, but LeBlanc says Saints fans will load up on swag before ANY season…:

Cut 5  (09)  “no matter what”

LeBlanc says even though the Saints aren’t practicing in Metairie this year, it’s not stopping the merchandise from flying off the shelves. She says her regulars come in every year looking for the one shirt that’s going to be their lucky shirt for the season…:

Cut 6 (10)  “always lose”
______________________________________

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. Strain says the EAB is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees…

CUT 7 (15)   “Reserve Program”

He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. The EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and is now present in 24 states. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area by infested firewood…

CUT 8 (13)   “unused firewood”

He says the best way to prevent EAB, is to not move firewood. It is best to purchase firewood no more than ten miles from where it will be burned. And when traveling, you should burn the firewood where you purchased it and make sure you burn all of it. He says the EAB has a distinctive look…(For more information on the EAB go to emeraldashborer.info)

CUT 9 (12)  “take a look”
______________________________________

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) faces federal and state charges….

cut 10 (16)  “of the system”

Harrell says Bourg used her position to extort money from these individuals claiming to be able to get their cases dropped. He says this arrest comes from a joint investigation between the State Police and the US Department of Homeland Security. Harrell says when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…

cut 11 (08)  “federal level”

The total amount of money Bourg supposedly extorted is unknown. Harrell says Bourg was booked into the St. Charles Parish Jail on federal wire fraud charges. he says upon her release there, Bourg will be transported back to Terrebonne Parish…(Bourg will face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.)

cut 12 (10)  “several other charges”
______________________________________

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week old son to the hospital. The Monroe Police Department believe the infant suffered repeated abuse. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says officers responded to a call from a local hospital in reference to an injured child…

Cut 13 (06)  “on the brain”

Doctors discovered the child was suffering from bleeding on the brain. Authorities interviewed the parents, 29-year-old James Hall and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall. Bartley says neither could provide any explanation for the child’s injuries. He says doctors at the hospital told deputies the injuries 7-week-old suffered were due to abuse…

Cut 14 Audio  (11)  “in the brain”

He says medical tests showed various stages of healing in the child’s brain, which indicated repeated abuse. James and Emily were booked into the Ouachita Correctional facility each on $50,000 bond. Bartley says the infant remains in the hospital in critical condition…

Cut 15 Audio  (04)   “in his condition”
______________________________________

At Conference USA Media Day, Louisiana Tech Head Skip Holtz told reporters the Bulldogs will be better season this year, after going four and eight last season. Tech’s offense struggled last year, averaging just 19 points a game. But Holtz says they have more speed at the wide receiver position with the addition of former West Monroe star Paul Turner

Cut 16 Audio (18)    “as well”

Holtz expects improvement on the defensive side of football as well. He says defensive end Houston Bates, who is a transfer from Illinois is a nice addition

Cut 17 Audio (15) “football team”

______________________________________

In a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. The Lions won the Southland last season as they were a perfect 7-and-0 in the league. S-L-U Head Coach Ron Roberts is a strong believer that his team can re-peat as Southland champs

Cut 18 (19) ”  basis”

Roberts says he likes the idea that they’ll have a bulls eye on their chest this season…

CUT 19 (20) “2014″

17:30 Newscast July 23, 2014

State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that involved a Calasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. LSP Sergeant James Anderson says the shooting happened last night as a sheriff’s deputy was attempting to perform a traffic stop on a 33-year-old woman from Sulphur, who was not cooperating…

cut 9 (12) “protect himself”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says the driver, Evelyn Dargin, was taken to a local hospital and her condition is unknown. She faces numerous charges, including attempted first degree murder of a police officer.

A Spanish language interpreter, employed by the Terrebonne Parish Government, is in jail for allegedly taking money from some defendants, telling them she would use that money to bribe the US Immigration Services to get their cases dropped. 45-year-old Trina Bourg was arrested on federal and state charges.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany files legislation that would give south Louisiana veterans the option to receive health care from a non V-A provider. Boustany says the federal government should pay for the care..

cut 12 (10) “care available”

There is another bill that would authorize new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. But Boustany says our veterans in those areas shouldn’t have to wait for the new clinics to open, so he wants to give them the option to receive care from a non VA provider.

Louisiana State Police has arrested a St. Maurice man on drug charges. Authorities say a search of 32-year-old Tony Martin’s residence turned up two firearms, methamphetamine with distribution paraphernalia, and marijuana. Martin was booked into the Winn Parish Detention Center on numerous charges including distribution of methamphetamine.

The LSU AgCenter has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Diane Sasser, Director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program, says the first message that will be promoted is to eat more fruits and vegetables. She says they will also be spreading messages about doing more activities together as a family…

cut 7 (10) “thrive more”

Sasser says by displaying these simple suggestions in places that people will see easily and frequently, the hope is that they will absorb the information and start thinking about their own health habits. She says the campaign will run for about a year and a half.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 July 23

NFL training camps are opening across the country. Saints players are scheduled to report to the team’s new training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia by tomorrow Most of the players were seen rolling into town today. Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis are scheduled to address the media tomorrow afternoon.

In Arizona, the Cardinals have announced former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Mathieu is still rehabbing a serious knee injury that took place last December. There is some concern that the Honey Badger will not be when the regular season starts.

Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. That’s accoring to a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors. McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

Expectations are not overly high in Monroe for the Warhawks football team. ULM is picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt, but head coach Todd Berry says they can surprise some people if they stay healthy…
cut 19 (17) “…be sidelined”
The Warhawks begin the season on Thursday August 28th at home against Wake Forest.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis says he’s excited about the acquisition of Omer Asik. Davis says Asik will help his game a lot, because he likes playing power forward instead of center.

College basketball….Ragin Cajuns shooting Kevin Brown told his followers on twitter that he’s transferring to UNO. Brown started 13 games for the Cajuns last season and averaged 5.5 poitns a game. He’ll be able to play right away for the Privateers as a graduate student.

16:30 07-23-14

It’s been widely reported that many South Louisiana veterans have found access problems and crowded conditions in several V-A clinics. Now, Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has introduced legislation to allow vets to get their primary and mental care at NON-VA facilities, because the current situation-hes says-is unacceptable…:
cut 14 :10 sec. Q:”best care”
There’s another bill that would authorize new clinics in Lake Charles and Lafayette.

The man who is in jail for the Bourbon Street shooting in New Orleans that killed one and injured nine made a court appearance this morning. Twenty year-old Trung Le faces one count of first-degree murder, and 9 counts of attempted first-degree murder, but his attorney says there is video evidence he says will clear his client. ===============================
A school administrator in Baton Rouge is accused of sexting a former teen student. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT V1 :33sec. Q: “reporting”
The LSU Ag Center has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Diane Sasser is the AgCenter director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Educational Program. She says the first message to be promoted is for people to eat more fruits and vegetables…:
cut 6 :10 sec. Q: “physical activity”
Sasser says this effort also includes banners and posters that will be displayed in schools, stores and parish extension offices.